Martial Arts Realms

"To learn martial arts isn't simple. Bone structure, talent, and methods are all indispensable. Besides those, the most important thing is cultivation manuals."

"Along with the most basic Foundation Stance for tempering qi and blood, you also need killing techniques to match."

"Big brother, you surely know that with your bone structure and talent, joining a martial arts school would already be extremely difficult.

"But that doesn't mean there's no way for you to practice martial arts. For example, you could use a manual that records training insights and the key principles of martial arts."

A smile played at Lin Lin's lips as he watched Lin Yin, who was reading the booklet.

"I showed this manual to my master. He said it's a superior Hardening Technique, one that can be cultivated all the way to Transforming Strength!"

"Transforming Strength?"

Lin Yin furrowed his brow.

"I'm guessing big brother doesn't know much about martial arts realms, so let me explain."

Lin Lin held his head high, his face brimming with the smug pride of someone who knew more than others.

"The first thing anyone who practices martial arts must do is temper their qi and blood and strengthen their tendons and bones. Stance Skill is the foundation of martial arts.

"The first thing you need to do is master the basics of Stance Skill. If you can't even manage that, it proves you're simply not suited to martial arts..."

"After mastering the basics come Minor Accomplishment, Great Accomplishment, and Perfection. These correspond to three stages for Martial Artists: Condense Qi into Strength is Bright Strength, and Channel Strength into Body is Hidden Strength.

"As for the third level...that's my master's realm. Let's leave that aside for now."

Lin Lin spoke at length, explaining common knowledge about martial arts realms in a tone of instruction.

Lin Yin's gaze flickered. He asked casually, "What realm have you reached?"

He remembered Lin Lin's performance at the Archery Platform the other day, so he couldn't help asking.

"I... I'm nothing special, but I recently mastered the basics of the Six-Star Chain Blade's Basic Stance Practice, which my master taught me!"

As he said this, Lin Lin straightened his chest unconsciously, his face wearing an unmistakable air of pride.

At his side, Second Uncle and Second Aunt, whose expressions had been tense, now looked proud.

Old Master Lin, standing nearby, also stroked his long beard.

Clearly, they were pleased with this progress.

"You've only just mastered the basics of Stance Skill..." Lin Yin's expression didn't change, though an odd feeling rose in his heart.

He remembered that Lin Lin had joined the martial arts school at least half a month ago.

"Don't think mastering the basics of Stance Skill is easy."

Assuming Lin Yin didn't understand how difficult it was, Lin Lin couldn't help explaining.

"Anyone who can master the basics of Stance Skill has the talent and bone structure for martial arts.

"To master the basics, you need to gain an initial grasp of the Full Qi and Blood Circulation Method, along with the matching movements and their key principles. It's not something you can accomplish overnight."

"Those lacking talent might need a whole month just to get a basic grasp of the method for refining qi and blood. As for me, with bone structure that's above average, mastering the basics of Stance Skill in half a month was no small feat."

Even so, Lin Lin couldn't quite hide the youthful pride that slipped through his deliberately mature air.

He even reached out and patted Lin Yin on the shoulder.

"Since big brother is set on martial arts, practicing Stance Skill is essential. If you can master the basics within a month and grasp all those complicated movements, that's already impressive."

"A month..."

Lin Yin wore a strange expression.

Lin Lin assumed he didn't understand how arduous it was, so he continued in the manner of someone who'd been through it himself. "You mustn't aim too high when practicing martial arts. That's all I have to say. Big brother can decide for himself."

"..."

Watching the boy before him put on airs of maturity, Lin Yin remained silent.

He couldn't possibly tell them he'd mastered the basics of Stance Skill after reading the manual just once. That was too astonishing for the world; no ordinary talent could explain it.

The Heaven Rewards Diligence Destiny was Lin Yin's foundation for surviving in this chaotic world. He would never reveal a single thing about it—not even to his own mother.

Considering the usual steps of martial arts training, Lin Yin grew more and more aware of how powerful his destiny was.

"What do you think, Second Aunt? With this manual, even if big brother can't join a martial arts school, he can still practice martial arts. If he achieves a little success, he can discuss joining a school later—and might even get the entrance fee waived!"

Lin Lin coaxed her patiently.

Second Aunt, standing nearby, couldn't help stepping forward. "Old Master paid a hefty price to buy this manual from that Daoist. It was originally meant for Lin Lin."

Her expression darkened as she spoke, clearly still reluctant to part with it.

They'd even had Lin Lin's master examine the manual. It really was an excellent cultivation manual, rare and hard to come by!

She couldn't help feeling she'd gotten the short end of the stick.

"..."

Madam Wang neither agreed nor refused right away. She simply looked at Lin Yin.

By then, Lin Yin had finished reading the Golden Bell Shield.

[Heaven rewards diligence; you will achieve something]

[Golden Bell Shield: Entry Level (0/100)]

The next moment, a flood of information poured into his mind: the postures and principles for practicing the Golden Bell Shield, the method for refining qi and blood, and even the corresponding method for Condensing Strength—all etched deeply into Lin Yin's brain.

The seemingly complicated principles for unleashing Qi were instantly clear to him.

"No. This cultivation method looks too complicated and difficult to practice. I don't think it suits me."

Without changing expression, he returned the booklet to Lin Lin, who stared at him in shock.

"Big brother, are you saying you still want to go straight into a martial arts school?"

The manual was back in Lin Lin's hands, but his mood had soured. He frowned.

"Whether I can join a martial arts school is secondary. I only hope Mother can have some means of supporting herself."

Lin Yin's words carried an unspoken meaning.

"..."

Seeing that the deal for the manual had fallen through, Old Master Lin looked thoughtful.

To be honest, their family did owe Lin Yin and his mother. The eldest son's livelihood at the martial arts school had effectively all gone to the Second Branch. If the First Branch made a fuss, it would only harm Lin Lin's future.

Lin Lin's future had become his entire hope. He was counting on his young grandson to join a sect and lead the Lin Family out of Langshi Town into a wider world!

"Since that's the case, eldest son's wife, ask for something else. I'll do my best to satisfy you."

Madam Wang understood Lin Yin's meaning almost at once. Though she was puzzled and didn't understand why Lin Yin had passed on the manual, she was determined to follow her son's wishes without question. She went along with it. "I... want a shop."

"A shop?"

Second Aunt shrieked as soon as the words left her mouth. Even Second Uncle, who knew they were in the wrong, shot up from his seat.

"What, your Second Branch gets all the benefits, and our First Branch gets nothing?"

Faced with her aggressive brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Madam Wang stood her ground, refusing to back down.

"But no matter what, you can't ask for a shop."

Second Aunt shrieked and turned to Old Master Lin, hoping he would react.

But this time, Old Master Lin seemed unwilling to argue any further. He simply gave Madam Wang and Lin Yin a long look, then nodded.

"Very well. A shop it is. After this, don't bring up the matter again!"

"Father?"

"Enough!"

Old Master Lin glared fiercely at his second son and daughter-in-law.

If not for them, why would the family have ended up in such a mess?

Seeing Old Master Lin's anger flare, the two dared not speak.

"Thank you, Father!"

Madam Wang bowed slightly, then took Lin Yin by the hand and led him straight out of the house.

"From now on, don't come here again unless you have a reason to." A voice laced with coldness sounded from behind them.

Tears finally spilled from the corners of Madam Wang's eyes. She nodded in silence, then took Lin Yin's hand and walked straight out the door.